The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

In this engaging discussion, Frank Slootman, CEO of Snowflake and seasoned entrepreneur, dives into leadership lessons from his extensive career. He emphasizes the power of narrowing focus to boost quality and stresses that every CEO should embrace anxiety as a motivator. Slootman critiques traditional performance reviews, labeling them as ineffective, and shares insights on uplifting good talent to greatness. He explores his straightforward approach to handling underperformance and the importance of clear communication in leadership.

Devin Finzer, Founder and CEO of OpenSea, shares insights from creating the world's largest NFT marketplace. He discusses how OpenSea skyrocketed from $150M to $3BN in GMV, highlighting critical moments that defined its success. Devin delves into the future of NFTs, predicting how brands and celebrities will leverage them to transform their businesses. He also tackles the intersection of NFTs and gaming, the challenges in market fluctuations, and personal reflections on time management and mentorship in the fast-evolving digital landscape.

Ralf Wenzel, Founder and CEO of JOKR, discusses revolutionary unit economics in the quick commerce sector. He compares consumer behavior, average order values, and labor costs between the US and LATAM, revealing intriguing insights into market dynamics. Ralf also shares strategies for optimizing fulfillment centers and managing costs to enhance profitability. Additionally, he delves into the strategic allocation of marketing budgets and the importance of supply chain efficiency for sustainable growth in retail.

Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of England, shares his extensive finance background and commitment to sustainability. He discusses how governments can maintain control amid the rise of decentralized finance and predicts the future of central bank digital currencies. Carney also analyzes the competitive landscape of crypto exchanges and NFTs, highlighting potential winners and losers in this evolving market. His insights emphasize the need for a balanced approach to innovation and equity in finance.

Will Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Whoop, shares insights from his journey in wearable tech aimed at optimizing human performance. He discusses the unexpected value in early struggles and when founders should persist or pivot. Ahmed challenges the notion of realism, advocating for idealism in entrepreneurship. He reflects on his strategies for attracting elite athletes without payment, emphasizing the importance of vision and authentic engagement. The conversation also touches on balancing innovation and leadership, and how sleep quality complements fitness performance.

Bangaly Kaba, Head of Platform Growth at Popshop Live, previously led growth at Instagram and Instacart. He shares insights on defining the role of Head of Growth and the optimal timing for startups to hire one. Bangaly discusses structuring the hiring process, including key interview questions and red flags to watch for. He emphasizes the ideal onboarding process for growth hires and reveals the importance of collaboration between growth teams and engineering to achieve data-driven success, while balancing growth with user experience.

John Doerr, chairman of Kleiner Perkins and author of "Measure What Matters," dives into his remarkable journey in venture capital. He shares the gripping story behind investing $12 million for a 12% stake in Google and highlights the importance of timing in venturing into climate-focused investments. Doerr discusses how today’s climate investing landscape differs from 2008, the critical role of collective action in combating climate change, and his vision for sustainable innovation. His insights emphasize the need for genuine relationships in venture capital to foster real impact.

Kyle Parrish, VP of Sales at Figma and former Head of Sales at Dropbox, shares his journey from a standout sales rep to leading sales teams. He discusses the critical timing and strategy behind hiring a Head of Sales versus sales reps. Kyle reveals the unique traits to look for in top sales candidates and highlights effective onboarding practices. He also stresses the importance of collaboration between founders and sales leaders, aiming for continuous improvement and solid customer engagement in thriving sales environments.

Join venture capital legends Bill Gurley and Michael Eisenberg as they dissect the current market landscape and its eerie similarities to the dot-com bubble. Bill shares insights on price discipline and how it shapes investor relationships, while Michael delves into navigating today's capital deployment challenges. They explore the dynamic between public and private valuations and reflect on significant investing lessons from their extensive careers. Their engaging conversation is packed with wisdom on what it really means to invest wisely in turbulent times.

Adam Foroughi, Co-founder and CEO of AppLovin, shares his entrepreneurial journey from founding multiple companies to leading a major app marketing firm. He discusses the surprising reluctance of VCs to invest in early rounds and the lessons learned from those experiences. Foroughi advocates for minimal meetings, promoting a culture of accountability and swift decision-making without traditional structures. He emphasizes sustainable growth over short-term profits and the importance of nurturing talent within teams for long-term success.